Fresh dispute over role of Council of Ministers
By Never Kadungure
Zimbabwe’s fragile coalition government appeared heading for more gridlock after Zanu PF resisted a move by the Prime Minister’s Office to get all Permanent Secretaries to report to the Council of Ministers which is chaired by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Chief Secretary in Tsvangirai’s office Ian Makone is reported to have written to all the Permanent Secretaries summoning them to report to the Council of Ministers. Zanu PF used its state owned Herald newspaper to describe this as a ‘clandestine attempt to re-assign Cabinet powers to the Council of Ministers.’
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa is then said to have written a counter letter protesting at what he called ‘misleading statements’ in Makone’s circular.
“Formulation of policies is the responsibility of line ministers. Ministers are required to brief the Prime Minister during the process of formulation. On completion of formulation of policy, the line ministry proceeds direct to Cabinet for approval. Council of Ministers has no mandate to consider and endorse policy and legislative proposals before they are submitted for Cabinet approval,” Chinamasa wrote.
In March 2008 Tsvangirai’s MDC party shocked Zanu PF with a convincing win in parliamentary and presidential elections despite an electoral environment marked by rigging attempts, intimidation and monopolisation of the state media.
In the presidential election MDC candidate Morgan Tsvangirai beat long time dictator Robert Mugabe but the lifeline of a run-off in the event of a small victory margin allowed Mugabe to use violence and murder to force Tsvangirai to withdraw from the second round.
After over 500 opposition supporters were butchered in Operation Mavhotera Papi? (Where did you Vote?) SADC leaders eventually forced Tsvangirai to join a coalition government with the candidate and party he had beat in the election. Mugabe and his party continue to refuse to honour the terms of that deal. Nehanda Radio
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